Analysis of temperature and pressure fields in molten carbonate fuel cell stacks

A mathematical model based on fluid dynamics and heat-transfer theories was applied to predict gas dynamic pressure and temperature distribution in a coflow molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) stack. The mass balance was simpli fied to obtain exact solutions with an assumption of uniform current densit y in the cell. The simulations were compared with data from a pilot-scale M CFC stack. The effect Of internal geometry of gas channels was simulated to accurately, predict the gas-pressure drop. A close prediction of pressure drop was possible from a partially blocked gas channel model that approxima tes the significant flow resistance. The effect of external boundary condit ions on stack temperature profile was also analyzed. Temperatures were accu rately predicted from a boundary heat conduction model with a reasonable as sumption of wet seal temperatures. The 2-D boundary conditions could be ext ended to 3-D simulations to predict temperature distribution with the same accuracy. The model was applied to see the effect of scale-zip on the maxim um temperature rise and average cell potential. The result verified a signi ficant effect of cell size on the maximum stack temperature.